Tanker struck in Hormuz as Iran, US trade attacks in worst escalation

A tanker reported being struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, Britain's maritime security agency said, after the United States and Iran each launched strikes in the worst escalation since they signed an interim peace deal.



The warring sides each accused the other of violating the agreement reached two weeks ago to end the four-month-old conflict.



Washington said it hit Iranian targets overnight. Iran said it responded on Saturday by striking targets linked to US forces.



Saturday's attack on a tanker in the strait followed another on a cargo ship on Thursday that triggered the latest escalation.



Iran has made a fresh bid to assert control over the world's most important energy shipping route, which has begun to reopen after months of disruption.



Britain's UKMTO maritime security agency said the tanker hit on Saturday had sustained damage to its bridge, with all crew reported safe.



The Joint Maritime Information Center, run by a coalition of navies protecting shipping, raised its security threat level as a result of recent incidents.